Match had a Total TV average audience of 3.035 million, with over 41% of viewers tuning in on SBS On Demand.
SBS’s broadcast of Australia’s thrilling opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was watched by a massive audience – average across the broadcast equalled over 3 million people – and topped the national television ratings on Sunday 14 June.
The match ratings result lands as the third most watched event of the year across all free-to-air networks.
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Fans watched in record numbers as the Socceroos’ brilliant 2-0 victory over Türkiye attracted an average audience of 3.035m across linear television and digital streaming, with 41.4% tuning in through SBS On Demand (see detailed breakdown below). These are SBS’s highest total reach and average audience scores since the new VOZ ratings measurement system began in 2025.
SBS’s World Cup programming dominated Sunday’s free-to-air ratings, as the Australia vs Türkiye pre and post-match programs saw the broadcast claim the top three shows for the day.
SBS had five of the top ten programs on Sunday (14 June), with the inclusion of the Brazil vs Morocco match in 7th place (915,000 avg) and the Haiti vs Scotland match in 9th place (782,000 avg).
Across the first three days of the tournament, SBS achieved a Total TV Reach of 8.139 million (5.431 million on linear television and 3.458 million on SBS On Demand).
SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp, said:
“The FIFA World Cup 2026™ has delivered an extraordinary opening three days, highlighted by the Socceroos’ magnificent victory in their opening match. The response from Australians has been exceptional, with audience numbers reflecting the excitement, passion and national pride that only a FIFA World Cup™ can inspire.
“Australians have embraced both this historic tournament and the Socceroos’ journey, and that journey is only just beginning. As the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history, this tournament promises unforgettable moments, dramatic storylines and world-class football on a scale never seen before. SBS is proud to bring Australians every chapter of what is shaping up to be a truly memorable FIFA World Cup™.”
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Watch live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand from 12 June to 20 July (AEST). Learn all the ways to watch, read and listen, including updating your SBS On Demand app (iOS or Android) and subscribing to SBS Sport newsletters here.
SBS Sport’s social media platforms have had more than 57 million video views and almost 72 million impressions across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.^
Follow SBS Sport across YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest from the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Broadcast schedule and more information here.
Hyundai, Hisense, Macca’s, Rexona, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi are commercial partners of SBS’s broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The next Socceroos match kicks off Saturday 20 June at 5am AEST against host team USA live on SBS/SBS On Demand.
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